The Ashes are back, some light (currently Nottinghamshire) sunshine in a particularly cold Melbourne winter, and the inimitable Blowers & co of TMS on the radio. But that's all that's the same as 2009.
We've got one Pommie wicket (Cooked the Cookie... a valuable one, but all the early wickets are) but it has to be said that all the smart money's on England, and the team, which is strong, is unusually surrounded by a resurgent British sporting context with well deserved victories an a remarkable array of international sports, a state of affairs I can't remember having a precedent in decades. It may have started with London (and Britain's) magnificent hosting of the most recent Olympics, something the UK should really take great credit for.
First drinks, but we don't get the Shipping Forecast. No "... Malin, Hebredies..."
In 2009 I asked ' The tough question is, as ever, whether I can find someone to venture five quid on England.' Delighted to get a $10 onto Australia with our best new Australian from Essex, Sally. I reckon she's got a good chance at my cash, but as well as Australian victory, I'd mostly like a close, great series.
There's a new round of missing faces, and the picture below is now definitely regarded as 'history' by the commentators.
It's nice to realise you can remember some of the best cricket in its history. Will this be another great series? The great thing about the ashes is you never really know.
So let's hop back to 2009. "We have five Tests of five days in Wales and England to look forward to. And in the fine tradition of the game, anything might happen, and much of it probably will. It is certain that it will, however, finish in my old home ground of Surrey's Oval. Among other games I recall seeing Australia give away the last Test to England after a victorious series, and being there as Black Sarf London demonstrated the stupidity of Tebbet's Cricket Test as they celebrated the Windies' Blackwash - one of the nosiest and most intense days I can remember, including fast-jet time...
The Windies in their pomp were something to see, a machine which still echoes to today, but impressive as Big Bird was, there's nothing like the Ashes, right down to one of the most quixotic trophies - that actually isn't."
Remember, there's other sport stuff, and then there's The Ashes.
James
This post might not make sense if you don't speak cricket. A more comprehensible intro here from the BBC.
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